Microcracks, which are always present at the aggregate-cement interface and at the reinforcement-

cement interface, do not affect the durability of the concrete as long as they are limited in numbers
and size, and are discontinuous. But when these microcracks become continuous and enlarged under
influence of stress or due to leaching of cement paste, they facilitate the transport of aggressive ions
and gases, thereby affecting the durability of concrete to a great extent.

The presence of microcracks at the mortar-aggregate interface is responsible for inherent weakness of
plain concrete. The weakness can be removed by inclusion of fibers in the mix. The fibers help to
transfer loads at the internal microcracks. Such a concrete called fiber-reinforced concrete.

The Fibers interlock & entangle around aggregate particles and considerably reduce the workability,
while the mix becomes more cohesive and less prone to segregation.

Naturally occurring asbestos fibers and vegetable fibers, such as jute, are also used for reinforcement.
Fibers are available in different size and shapes. They can be classified into two basic categories,
namely, those having higher elastic modulus than concrete matrix (called hard intrusion) and those
with lower elastic modulus (called soft intrusion). Steel, carbon and glass have higher elastic moduli
than cement mortar matrix, and polypropylene and vegetable fibers are low moduli fibers. High
modulus fibers improve both flexural and impact resistance simultaneously whereas Low modulus
fibers improve the impact resistance of concrete but do not contribute much to flexural strength.

Major factors affecting the characteristics of fiber reinforced concrete, are water-cement ratio,
percentage (volume fraction) of fibers, diameter and length of fibers.